Coordinated Fiberglass Shelters Support Infrastructure at a New Industrial ComplexCase Study
The developers of a new 600-acre industrial complex required shelters for two critical systems that needed protection and environmental control.
The complex sits in a low-lying river bottom, which creates drainage challenges. Wastewater generated by the buildings within the complex cannot flow directly to the existing municipal sewer system. Instead, a lift station pumps wastewater uphill through a force main to a gravity sewer system.
At the same time, the facility required a shelter to house the demarcation point (demarc)—the central point where incoming service transitions to the site's internal network that transfers and distributes data across the property.
The Challenge
The developer's primary challenge was to find a single supplier capable of manufacturing two fiberglass buildings, each with distinct internal configurations, while maintaining a consistent exterior appearance across the site.
Given how different the two systems were, finding a single-source supplier with the knowledge, experience, and capability to produce shelters of varying complexity was a challenge.
The SolutionTwo Buildings, Two Functions, One Supplier
With extensive experience manufacturing fiberglass shelters for both the telecom and wastewater industries, Shelter Works stood apart from other prefabricated shelter manufacturers as the ideal supplier for this project.
By working exclusively with Shelter Works, the developer achieved its goal of presenting a coordinated appearance across the industrial complex. Shelter Works' fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) buildings not only provide a consistent aesthetic, but FiberBeam™ technology delivers long-lasting, low-maintenance, and reliable protection that is unmatched in the industry.
Telecom - Demarcation Building
For the telecommunications demarcation point, Shelter Works manufactured a two-room, 10 ft x 20 ft x 8 ft fiberglass building divided by an interior partition wall. Each room has its own entrance and is managed by a different entity.
Incoming data cabling and power first enter the provider-managed room. From there, services are routed through the partition wall to a second room managed by the facility's private network. This second room distributes data cabling and low-voltage systems to multiple buildings and operational areas throughout the complex.
This configuration allows both entities to manage their infrastructure independently while maintaining secure separation between the two spaces.
Demarc Building Features
- Dimensions: 10' x 20' x 8'
- 2" closed-cell foam insulation in walls and roof
- 19/32" OSB reinforcement in walls, roof, and door
- Structural roof truss system
- Interior partition wall
- 6" fastener spacing
- Trip-proof threshold doors
- 20 PSF Roof Load
- 110 MPH Wind Speed
- Approx. 5290 lbs.
Electrical and HVAC Package
- Redundant HVAC system with (2) 3-ton units
- 20-amp receptacles and switches
- Exterior-mounted security light
- Load center
- LED interior lighting
- Cable ladder system
Wastewater Pump Station Control Building
Fiberglass shelters are ideal for wastewater applications where humidity, corrosive gases, and environmental exposure can shorten the lifespan of traditional building materials, it has built hundreds of shelters for this application.
Shelter Works has manufactured over 1500 shelters for use in water and wastewater applications. Using this experience and industry knowledge, Shelter Works simplified the entire process from the engineer who wrote the specifications to the contractor who purchased the shelter.
For the lift station pump, the Shelter Works team was able to advise on a variety of design and component considerations that ultimately produced a controlled environment for the pump station's electrical components, helping maintain reliable wastewater operations for the entire facility.
Pump House Features
- Dimensions: 10' x 12' x 8'
- 2" closed-cell foam insulation in walls and roof
- 19/32" OSB reinforcement in walls, roof, and door
- 6" fastener spacing for added structural strength
- Trip-proof threshold door
- 20 PSF Roof Load
- 110 MPH Wind Speed
- Approx. 2980 lbs.
Electrical and HVAC Package
- Switch and LED lighting fixtures
- Exterior-mounted security light
- Thermostatically controlled 3-ton air conditioning unit
- Load center
- GFCI receptacle
- Duplex receptacle
"SHELTER WORKS is identified by the designer, within the specifications. Out of due diligence, we reached out to competitors within the prefab shelter market. We were unable to find a company that meets all the needs of the owner and provide such a high level of quality. From pricing, to contract, to shop drawings, to scheduling, to delivery, the process was easy, professional, and smooth."
Will Adams, PM - R.C. Mathews Contractor
Why ShelterworksCoordinated Infrastructure with Fiberglass Construction
With extensive experience across multiple industries, Shelter Works can not only serve its customers as a single-source supplier, but it can create the attractive, unified appearance that developers desire. Shelter Works fiberglass buildings provide several universal advantages for infrastructure projects like this one:
- Corrosion-resistant construction for water/wastewater and other moisture-heavy environments.
- Non-conductive building materials that support telecommunications applications
- Energy-efficient insulated walls and roof systems
- Durable structural performance with minimal maintenance
- Custom interior configurations designed to meet equipment requirements